Bananas

Homo attacks ? Vaseline ? When did this site become G-A-Y ?

Good article PAOKSYD. It's true what it says that some considered Fiorentina a team that is mediocre. Far from it.

Ok. So I had the game taped and got around to watching it in full last night. Concerning the teams, it's clear that Fiorentina are a quality team. They generally had that threatening "feel" about them where they could at any moment perform a nice run of play and expose our defence. To our credit, we covered lots of space and there was lots of good tackling and pressing in general. We made Fiorentina work for their opportunities of which they had 3 or 4 good chances. A few of their crosses almost hit the mark as well but that's football, you don't always put away all your chances. Regarding PAOK I'm fairly happy with the performance all things considered. It was a bit frustrating but Fiorentina did what they had to, to put pressure on us when we had possession. My only real complaint was that we gave up possession too easily. Very often when Fiorentina had the ball in defense someone from the midfield would run back, lead, receive the ball, control and lay off or lay off one touch, turn and run. And they would retain the ball. Too often we had the ball in a similar position and would just lob it forward because the midfield wouldn't "ask" for the ball. They wouldn't lead. If we would only start playing this way more often we would be a MUCH better side. Glykos: 7.5/10. Good. Did everything asked of him. He just refuses to give up that starting position, he he. Matos: 7/10 1st half. 6/10 2nd half. Fairly good. Good in attack. Not so much defensively. Got into their box a few times. On the other hand his flank got exposed a few times in the first half and then again the same in the first 15 minutes of the second half. This is I believe what led Ivic to bringing on Crespo and playing with a 3-5-2. Leovac: 6/10 1st half. 7/10 2nd half. Fairly good. Kind of the opposite of Matos. Offered nothing in attack in the first half but his flank wasn't exposed either so defensively he was sound. I thought he improved in the second and after the 60th minute offered more in attack. Varela: 7.5/10. Good. Looked solid. He seemed to cope well with the pressure of playing against a better class of team. He also looked strong physically. Those Fiorentina forwards were big boys. Tzavellas: 6/10. Fairly good. I think against a team like Fiorentina he struggled. He really had to work hard and it was a tough day for him. I don't believe he's a EL quality CB. Great for GSL and depth but at this level he looked under some pressure. To his credit he gave it his all. +1 for the 3 or 4 commando rolls he performed when he got "fouled". Academy award winning stuff. +1 also for eyeballing an opposition player. He's getting consistent at doing at least one of these per game. Canas: 7/10. Good. Covered lots of ground. Knows where to stand. Offered some calmness to the midfield. Cimirit: 6.5/10. Fairly good. Some of his touches can be off, but that's him. Offered his usual hustle and toughness in the midfield. Pelkas: 6/10. Fairly good. The surprise starter. Did quite well in the first half. In the beginning of the second half when Fiorentina applied the pressure he went quiet. Good to see him get some game time. Djalma: 6/10. Fairly good. To be fair Fiorentina didn't give him much space but to his credit he kept trying. Rodrigues: 7.5/10. Was the only player that really threatened up front. Would like to clone a few more players like Rodrigues. If only he put away that chance in the 85th that Leovac crossed! Klaus: 6/10. Tried. Not great, not bad. Similar to Djalma. It was tough out there for him. Didn't get much service and when we attacked Fiorentina didn't leave much space. Shakhov: 6.5/10. Fairly good. Looked more comfortable than Pelkas against class opposition. Also, went to the ball and asked for it. His control and passing was required to try and hold possession. Crespo: 6/10. Didn't really do much. Was just an extra body in the back to cut down space for the Fiorentina forwards. Thiam: ?/10. Wasn't on long enough. But he does look like he's got some pace on him. Will be interesting to watch him this season.

Gamisi xoris salio ... hmmm, so many thoughts running through my brain, not enough time ha ha. Regarding Matos, he's definitely a SUPERSTAR as far as the GSL is concerned. Not so sure about the EL as his flank was exposed by Fiorentina multiple times. It's likely Fiorentina did their homework and knew he's a very attacking RB and played into the holes he left at the back, so I wouldn't say it's his fault as such. This is where having 2 sold CB's makes the difference as it allows the RB and LB to attack with less fear. Either way, I'm ecstatic with him as a signing. Couldn't really ask for much more. His fitness and energy are very good for his age. One thing I've noticed with our signings this year are that they were concentrated in the defensive half of the team. Brkic, Matos, Crespo, Varela, Canas. This is a good thing as our defense has been porous for the last 3 seasons. A defense made of Matos, Varela, Tzavellas, Leovas with Canas sweeping in front of them looks so much stronger than Kitsiou, Vitor, Tzavellas, Leovac and Cimirot. Anyway, let's see how it plays out with Asteras. I've got some loob handy just in case ...

It's difficult to predict what Ivic could do. If anything, he's proven he's flexible concerning systems, which is a good thing. I can't stand "system" zealots who swear by this or that system. It all depends on who the opposition is, the state of your squad, and the status of the current game you're playing. Kudos to Ivic in the Fiorentina game switching to a 3-5-2. It was required as they were looking like they could score any minute. Regarding the player selection, again Ivic has been unpredictable so far. Pelkas starting against Fiorentina ? Pereyra not in the squad vs Ajax ? Regardless, it's time Charisis and Mystakidis start getting a run. Not necessarily in this match but in general. Regarding Varela, I like what I saw in the Fiorentina game. I think this guy is the real deal. He could be our best signing in a long time.

@ Thrylos7, totally agree. It is what it is, unfortunately. @grkjet @ pana97, nice to know at least at some point, it's taught to a higher standard.

At least somebody won. Drinks on Boston!

These were happening ever before Tudor, but with Tudor it went to another spectacular level. Let's see how it all plays out. We'll have a better idea by the winter break.

I think he's probably worth about 500K per season if you compare his wage to the other player wages. He was our best defender last season, which says a lot about how shaky the defence was. Yes, he was a lttle s%$#! when it came to his season with Anastasiadis but he is who he is, I don't think that will ever change.

Well, they're good teams manga. You know what, how about you concentrate on Amorgiggles TV instead of looking at our record vs Italian teams.

Exactly. The one vs Schalke.

I spoke too soon. :)

Over and out from Austria. Time to crash.

Can you imagine if you guys scored that chance. My word!

Aside from Varela's clanger (he actually had a good game beside this) it was a fairly dominant performance. According to livescore.com we had 60% possession 19 attempts on goal (7 on target) to Panaitolikos 7 attempts (2 on target). On another day we could have scored 6, but we still manage to give the opposition hope of pinching points.

PAOK, always finding a way to make things difficult.

Hmm, I think so. I don't recall him getting game time in the CL and EL qualifiers.

Agree. It's very very early days but right now I'm feeling his wage doesn't justify his general play. We shall see ...

Pereyra! Free kick off the cross bar.

The player I'm not impressed with is Campos, given the fan fair when we signed him and his being the "Mak" replacement.

Keep this up and we'll have to replace pash as moderator with yourself.

Absolutely. It's not like Klaus has done much today.

I actually feel that Pereyra is the most clinical finisher in the squad. Nice chance just there for Panaitolikos.

Biseswar should have had a hat-trick today.